Cheapest car insurance in Iowa for a bad driving record

Drivers with a poor record in Iowa will find the lowest rates from Travelers, Progressive and State Farm. Among these, Travelers provides the lowest annual premiumThe payment required for an insurance policy to remain in force. Auto insurance premiums are quoted for either 6-month or annual policy periods. at $1,851 annually.

If you have accidents, DUIs or traffic tickets on your driving record, you'll likely pay higher insurance rates. Most traffic violations can impact your rates for three to five years, while a DUI can raise your rates for up to 10 years and may remain on your record for life.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for high-risk driver
Travelers$1,238$1,851
Progressive$1,589$2,081
State Farm$1,306$2,238
Allstate$2,126$2,631
GEICO$1,716$2,733
Auto-Owners$1,461$2,928
USAA$1,165$1,652

How much is high-risk car insurance in Iowa?

In Iowa, the average cost of high-risk car insurance is $2,496 per year. However, you may secure coverage from Travelers for as low as $1,851 annually. Even with a problematic driving record or poor credit score, affordable policies are available.

Several factors can classify you as a high-risk driver, but some raise your premiums more than others. For example, receiving multiple speeding tickets or getting one for speeding in a school zone will boost your rates more than a single basic speeding ticket.

Keep reading as we break down the factors that make you a high-risk driver and what you can expect to pay for car insurance.

Select your state and risk factor below to see the insurance company and its
average annual full coverage rates.

Average annual car insurance rate for At-fault bodily injury accident in Iowa, IA is $2,371
Show Graph View
CompanyAnnual premium for clean recordAnnual premium after violation
State Farm$1,306$1,482
USAA$1,165$1,726
Travelers$1,238$1,795
Auto-Owners$1,461$1,931
Progressive$1,589$2,302
GEICO$1,716$3,020
Allstate$2,126$3,121
Average annual rate

PEOPLE ASK:

Who is considered high-risk for insurance in Iowa?

Each insurance company has its own rules for deciding who is a high-risk driver. But usually, things like a DUI, several tickets or accidents, or serious violations like reckless driving will put you in the high-risk category.

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with a DUI

While many insurers offer coverage after a DUI, State Farm has the lowest rate at $1,394 a year.

Driving under the influence (DUI) is a major traffic violation that will hurt your driving record. It can increase auto insurance rates for almost a decade in addition to fines and other penalties. Multiple DUIs will increase your premiums even more, but improving your driving habits can help you get better rates over time.

The table below shows the average car insurance rates for a clean record vs. a DUI in Iowa.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for a DUI
State Farm$1,306$1,394
Progressive$1,589$1,677
Travelers$1,238$1,889
Allstate$2,126$2,794
GEICO$1,716$3,087
Auto-Owners$1,461$3,547
USAA$1,165$1,922

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with multiple tickets

For drivers with multiple tickets, State Farm offers the lowest premiums, averaging $1,394 per year or $116 per month.

A single ticket can raise your car insurance premiums, but multiple tickets will push them even higher. Repeatedly violating speed limits and other traffic laws signals risky behavior, increasing the likelihood that insurers will have to pay claims.

This table shows drivers in Iowa how much having multiple tickets can raise their insurance premiums.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium with a speeding ticket
State Farm$1,306$1,394
Travelers$1,238$1,811
Progressive$1,589$1,998
Auto-Owners$1,461$2,252
Allstate$2,126$2,336
GEICO$1,716$2,688
USAA$1,165$1,450

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with a reckless driving conviction

State Farm offers the most affordable rates for drivers with reckless driving convictions, averaging $1,394 per year.

Engaging in driving behaviors that put others at risk can lead to a reckless driving charge. A conviction for reckless driving results in higher car insurance rates.

The table below compares car insurance premiums for drivers with a clean record and those with a reckless driving conviction.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for reckless driving
State Farm$1,306$1,394
Travelers$1,238$1,889
Progressive$1,589$2,148
GEICO$1,716$2,663
Allstate$2,126$2,794
Auto-Owners$1,461$3,547
USAA$1,165$1,631

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa with bad credit

The cheapest Iowa insurer for bad credit is Travelers, with rates averaging $1,891 annually or $158 monthly. Fortunately, drivers with bad credit can still find affordable auto insurance.

Although unrelated to your performance behind the wheel, your credit score also impacts car insurance rates and can put you in the high-risk category. To an insurance company, high-risk means more likely to file a claimAn insurance claim is a request you make to your insurance company for coverage after your car is damaged or you have an accident. You can file a claim online, by phone, or in writing., and statistically, drivers with a low credit score fit that description.

Check out the table below to see how your credit score affects Iowa car insurance.

CompanyAnnual premium for good creditAnnual premium for bad credit
Travelers$1,238$1,891
GEICO$1,716$2,583
Progressive$1,589$2,666
Allstate$2,126$3,194
Auto-Owners$1,461$3,720
State Farm$1,306$6,462
USAA$1,165$2,005

Cheapest car insurance after an accident in Iowa

State Farm has the lowest rates after an accident at $1,482 a year. Travelers also has affordable rates at $1,753 a year.

Drivers with accidents on their driving records see higher rates than drivers who avoid crashes. While car insurance increases after one accident, multiple accidents significantly increase rates.

This table compares rates for drivers with a clean driving record, one at-fault accident, and multiple accidents.

CompanyAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for one at-fault accidentAnnual premium for multiple accident
State Farm$1,306$1,482$1,482
Travelers$1,238$1,753$2,214
Auto-Owners$1,461$1,931$2,280
Progressive$1,589$2,302$2,823
GEICO$1,716$3,020$3,439
Allstate$2,126$3,121$4,478
USAA$1,165$1,726$2,631

Cheapest car insurance in Iowa by city

Iowa City has the cheapest car insurance rates in Iowa at $2,074 per year. But the most expensive city is Centerville with rates of $2,628 per year.

Your location in Iowa also matters. For example, if you live in an area with heavy traffic or a high vehicle theft rate, rates will reflect the increased chance of claims.

CityAverage annual premium for clean recordAnnual premium for high-risk driver
Iowa City$1,351$2,074
Story City$1,461$2,226
Altoona$1,441$2,228
Kalona$1,554$2,364
Lawton$1,567$2,373
Cedar Falls$1,562$2,408
Ely$1,580$2,418
Atkins$1,618$2,475
Des Moines$1,585$2,479
Centerville$1,741$2,628

How to reduce car insurance rates in Iowa for a bad driving record

Finding affordable car insurance in Iowa is possible, even with a bad driving record. Ways to lower car insurance rates include:

Where you live in Iowa also affects car insurance rates. For example, if you live in a high-traffic or high-theft area, rates will increase because your vehicle is more likely to be damaged or stolen.

  • Carefully consider filing claims. Paying for minor damage out of pocket may be cheaper than filing an insurance claim and increasing rates for years.
  • Avoid costly infractions. Drive carefully to avoid adding traffic infractions to your record. Tickets only affect insurance rates for a few years, which will decrease if more tickets aren't added.
  • Improve your credit score. Raising your credit score lowers car insurance rates. Make on-time payments and consider credit usage to improve your rating.
  • Take a defensive driving course. Many insurance companies offer a discount for doing so, and some states remove driver's license points for successfully completing the class.
  • Shop around for coverage. Every car insurance company weighs factors differently and offers different rates. Compare quotes to find the cheapest rates.

PEOPLE ASK:

How long are you considered a high-risk driver in Iowa?

Three years is common, but how long you are considered a high-risk driver in California depends on the insurance company's guidelines. The state determines how long a violation stays on your record, but the insurance company determines how long you're charged for that violation.

Iowa car insurance laws for high-risk drivers

If you're a high-risk driver in Iowa, you may need to file an SR-22. Your insurer submits this form to confirm you carry the state's minimum required coverage. The court will specify how long you must maintain the SR-22.

An SR-22 is not a type of insurance; it's simply a form. You don't need special coverage, but your premiums may be higher since you're classified as high risk. Additionally, not all insurance companies offer policies for high risk drivers or handle SR-22 filings.

Methodology

research logo

170+

insurance companies analyzed

research logo

34,000+

ZIP codes examined

research logo

$53M

insurance quotes analyzed

National and state average rates are based on three coverage levels: state minimum, 50/100/50 liability-only, and full coverage with 100/300/100 liability and $500 deductibles.

All base rate averages are based on our full coverage data set. This data set is based on:

  • Bodily injury liability of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per incident
  • Property damage liability of $100,000 per incident
  • Comprehensive and collision deductibles of $500
  • 40-year-old driver
  • Honda Accord LX
  • Good credit
  • A clean driving record
  • 12-mile commute, 10,000 annual mileage

Our data is then adjusted to reflect the rate increase from this base rate for the following infractions and issue:

  • DUI
  • Reckless driving
  • Multiple speeding tickets
  • Bad credit
  • One at-fault accident over $2,000

Tip icon You might also be interested in